God's Purpose For The Millennium Part 1 Ron Weinland 5 th Feast of Tabernacles Sermon 2009

Transcription

1 God's Purpose For The Millennium Part 1 Ron Weinland 5 th Feast of Tabernacles Sermon 2009 This year, in anticipation of His Son's Millennial reign on earth, God is going to give us a clearer picture of what is coming and what is about to be established. This sermon s entitled: God's Purpose For The Millennium, and this is part one. God's Purpose For The Millennium Part 1. In this sermon God is going to give the Church some things that have not yet been revealed until now and some things that will be made much clearer. And the reason for that is because we re almost there we are so close to that longanticipated time for God's Kingdom to come to this earth. So, different questions that can be asked: What will it be like? What will that new world be like in the next one thousand years of God's rule on earth once the Kingdom of God is established? What will change? And what will remain the same? There have been a lot of ideas that people have had in God's Church about this over time and we have heard varied sermons on the subject; including many things that have been written about that particular period of time that are not fully accurate. And God has allowed for that to exist for those varying opinions because we had to go through a maturing process in the Church through time. And when it comes to a particular time that we have matured, to be able to build upon certain things, then God gives us more. And that s what He is doing now, especially because of where we are; a lot of what we ve been given in the last many years here is because God has been moulding and fashioning us; bringing us to this point in time. And as He does, He continues to give us more and more. We re going to begin this sermon by focussing upon one of the most basic ideas or questions that is very much at the focal point of addressing this sermon and this title of this sermon God's Purpose For The Millennium. By more clearly understanding that purpose, one can come to have answers concerning questions about life and death during the Millennium. Often times there are questions that people have concerning death during the Millennium: Like, Will people die during this period of time? How long will people live during this period of time? And is it possible for people not to die and simply be changed from mortal to immortal? It's like the concept of baptism. Different people come to maturity at various stages of life and the age of accountability is around 20 21, in through there. And so people begin perhaps to be baptised at 18, 19 generally some of the earliest stages, I don't like to baptise anyone before that. 19, 20, 21 in through there is the earliest as a whole, that someone would come to the point of baptism. And then the question is, during the Millennium when someone is baptised and they live for 40, 50 years and beyond that, whatever it is that people might live. Perhaps there comes a time that... similar to baptism; that a person would have matured to the point of what one would consider being sealed. And perhaps at that time someone could be changed from mortal to immortal, to enter into the God Family. So those things have been out there in sermons and different ideas that people have had. There are many questions about this particular subject and it certainly has to be on the mind, I've heard it asked many a time now; it has to be on the mind of new people who are being called at various ages, that are going to live into the Millennial period. They want to know, What is it going to be like? Will there be death? What is it going to be like during that period of time? How long will people live? All kinds of questions that come up. Let's turn over to Revelation 21 because this is a place that we can begin to look to answer some of this. Verse 9: And there came unto me one of the seven angels who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, so again the question was the timing. As with so many things in the book of Revelation, you really have to understand God's plan, there's certain things that should jump out, especially at us. Striving to understand that this is going back and forth a little bit; chapter 20, you know, there s a period of time that covers several periods of time in chapter 20. But this is very specific; we know that it is on the day of Pentecost in 2012: it's when the 7 last Plagues, the 7th Trumpet is blown. And it says here that one of the seven angels who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, talked with me, saying, Come here, and I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife. It's at the beginning of the day. As soon as the Sabbath is God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT2009 1

2 over and the beginning of the new day, which in this case is Pentecost of At that moment in time then, the 144,000 as Jesus Christ begins to return, begins to appear and what appears in the heavens that God allows to be seen even on the earth. Here we have 144,000 who are resurrected and then of course, as that 7th Trumpet it blown, the 7 last Plagues begin to be poured out on the earth. And it says, And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, again those things that are prophetic in scripture. A 'high mountain' in this case is about God's Kingdom, God's Kingdom that is going to be established; so it's a closer look at this Kingdom and of the Lamb's wife, different descriptions here given of the same thing. And certainly in scripture then, understanding that there are those things that are referred to as 'mountains' or 'hills' large kingdoms, small kingdoms, nations and so forth and that's what's being used here; this analogy of a 'high mountain', symbolic of God's Government coming to the earth. And he showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, talking about different descriptions; whether it be the 'holy city' or 'Zion.' When you read about 'Zion' 'Zion Stands Most Beautiful' the song we used to sing so much in the Church and the Psalms that talk about 'Mount Zion,' it's a beautiful thing when you understand what it is about the Kingdom of God, it is about those who have entered into Elohim. And so is the expression here 'holy Jerusalem'. And again, Jerusalem today is not holy. There was only one period of time when there was a temple there, when God made His presence known within the temple; that any part of that could be considered holy because of God's presence. And really Jerusalem itself and the city never was in that respect and there is nothing holy about it. Going on, talking about this holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God; Having the glory of God, something that s manifested both spiritually and physically. In the spiritual world, the angelic realm can see what is there; those that have been changed to the 144,000, something they can see above and beyond that which is even physical. But even that which is physical, God is going to show a glory in the heavens of something that mankind has never seen, that's going to be dumbfounding in that respect. Having the glory of God: and her light was like a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; it talks about some of these different things that are being seen. It's hard to understand what it will be like because it's more than just seeing a light in the sky; there s going to be that which is almost like diamonds or jewels; and the colours and the brilliance and the beauty coming from it is going to be a dazzling display in some sort of manner that has never been seen on earth before. Because God is going to show a majesty and a beauty that people are going to be able to see that they don't grasp and comprehend. And as I mentioned earlier, what an amazing thing that so much of the world, especially in Asia and some of those places over there, and Russia, far more easy for them...but even for Europe because you know what happens on that last day? It talks about all those people that have come together to battle, those ten nations in Europe that are coming to battle, that are going to battle against Russia and China and that alignment of people in a final battle called Armageddon. They are going to come together to do battle, but it says at the very end they actually unite: they are scared spit less. It's hard for us to comprehend that. They are scared spit less because of what they see in the heavens; this is going to be such a brilliant thing, such an awesome thing that they behold, that they truly are going to believe and there is no other explanation or answer that the planet is being invaded. And what begins to happen with those 7 last Plagues in their nations as they receive reports and they are going to turn and strive to fight against, to destroy what they see coming because they think it s something that is coming to destroy them and it is. It is going to put an end to their governments: but incredible here, what is going to come together on that particular day. And it says, And had a wall great and high, it had twelve gates, and the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: What an incredible thing to think about the organisation here, it's talking about the organisation. It's not just a matter of something that is seen and that is symbolic but that it is also of certain things that are going to exist as well that are going to be there. But more than that, it reflects, it pictures that which is a matter of God's Government and how it's organised. And so there is going to be that which is physical that can be seen in part in time, but there is that which is going to be reflective of everything that's organised spiritually; just like the twelve times the twelve thousand, God's Government is very meticulously organised, it truly is and so it shows a division of these things. And it goes on to say, and at the east three gates; and on the north God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT2009 2

3 three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them/in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. So those names that are going to be carried on through time, that we are going to become a part of as a part of God's Family and certain things bear the names of those families and those peoples and so forth. So let's go back now and notice the verses at the beginning of the chapter that have led up to this point, to get some of the context of what we have just read because part of the description of the Millennium is contained here and even the period of the Great White Throne. We need to discuss, back up here and catch a greater context. Verse 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. The chapter begins by jumping ahead to a period of time that's finally fulfilled through the work of what God will be doing in the previous one thousand one hundred years. So at the beginning of the chapter we are jumping all the way ahead to a period where it's finally all been accomplished God's Kingdom, the fullness of God's Kingdom, the fullness of God's family; and a change that's going to take place when there will be no more human life it will all be God life, the family of God. And so it's talking about a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; it's not talking about a literal passing away, that they don't exist anymore; but that which has been made new, everything is being made new. It has finally been accomplished that God has been working toward for so long and so it's talking about this new period of time. And some of these things are fully symbolic of other things that are being described here. You have to understand, when you get to a certain point in time and everything that is spiritual, everything in that respect that God has given...it's just like when certain things begin to be done from the very beginning of time, and God created the angels and the physical universe and created the earth and things on here as well, and everything that existed, some of the things that were brought into being; there was a time when none of that existed. Only the angelic realm existed and it's hard for us to understand that. And so God created the angels first, the angelic realm and something in a spirit realm of things that could be seen; some things are described in physical terms but there are those things that they saw, they were created differently. Some of them had different appearances, but it was all spiritual; something which can be seen spiritually. We can't understand that because we re physical and we can't see spirit and then God created that which is physical and it says, the angels shouted for joy ; something was added to, enhanced...an enhancement of something that existed and that which is greater and beyond that which was spiritual even in the sense of broadening that and things we have a difficult time comprehending. Something to be enjoyed, a beauty that was different in that respect and for a great purpose and they rejoiced in all of that. So there's much out there and it's not for the purpose of just being here for a little while and all of a sudden it's all going to disappear. There are things that are going to continue on, we've understood that for a long time. That everything which was created is out there for a purpose; of things that God hasn't revealed to us yet. He hasn't shown us why, or what is going to be done, or how it s going to be done, but it's all out there for a great purpose into the future, truly. Of things that are difficult for us to comprehend because it hasn't been shown to us yet. And so it goes on to say here, And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. So again here, that which leads to the creation of a new heaven and a new earth begins by God's purpose, of what He will perform through what is finally being established on earth at the beginning of the Millennium. So there s that which begins there, it's not the fullness of it yet, but a part of it begins when we get up to the verses where it talks about the very first of it when that seventh angel said 'Let's go and look.' And this is what they looked at, they saw the 144,000, the beginning of 'new Jerusalem,' the beginning of 'Mount Zion' being established in a greater way, as far as that which is born of man and woman on this earth, mankind, and the first two as well. The first one I should say because that was from the dust of the earth Adam that was created and then that which was taken from his body and God then formed Eve as well. So again, the two of them that didn't have a physical birth as it were but God creating them and making them and all life that has come since then. So again here, backing up a little bit of the story, it's looking ahead and it's talking about what we re leading up to a new heaven and a new earth. Everything new and as far as what God is establishing, preparing, creating and making and what's it's all about; and it's about His Family, it always has been. God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT2009 3

4 Verse 3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them. How? Well, we understand that: through His government and spirit born Family that's now being set up on the earth, that's starting in a process here at the very beginning of the Millennium and that becomes greater at the Great White Throne period and finally it s all complete. It says, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. So, when does that happen? Is that something that happens at the beginning of the Millennium? Is that something that happens at the beginning of the Great White Throne? When is it that all tears are finally wiped away? Not until it s finished. It's a process, it's talking about a process that leads up to a new heaven and a new earth; it's language that is being used here to show what God is creating, what God is making. Human beings are able to cry as long as they are human beings. In the Great White Throne, people are able to cry... You ever thought about that? You think there will be crying during the Great White Throne? You think there will ever be an occasion where there is crying? Someone has their feelings hurt? You re not in the God Family until you are in the God Family; until you have conquered human flesh. And all the people who have lived through the thousands of years, when they are resurrected, there are still going to be times when people hurt each other, there is still going to be times when something is said. Can you imagine the kinds of lives that people are going to come out of? It's just like any one when they are first called...when you're resurrected back into a physical body it talks of how there's going to be great emotion. It says there s going to be 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' for a lot of people and that expression is used at different times in different places too, towards the very end as well, a different kind of weeping and gnashing. But even at the very beginning, the regret; the feelings, the emotions that people are going to experience and so there are going to be things that are going to happen during the Great White Throne. People are people human beings are human beings and are we perfect yet? Have any of you ever cried recently, had tears in your eyes? So, just because it s a different world where everybody is resurrected and brought into the Church, does that mean that there won't be any crying, there won't be any tears? Obviously not, there will be tears. The tears aren't gone until we re gone, until there is no more human life; only then can this be fulfilled. So it's a process that God is working toward being fulfilled and that's what it's discussing here. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death: when can you say that?...that there will be no more death? 1 st Corinthians 15 tells you when there will be no more death 'the last enemy to be destroyed is death.' And so when there is no more death, everything s pretty well over with: a new heaven and a new earth; that which God is working toward see? Where only that which is spiritual remains as far as life that exists within the God Family; as far as human life, there is no more human life only that which is eternal life in the God Family. And so again, it says, and there shall be no more death, once God's purpose and His work during the 1100 years is accomplished....neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: The only time you can say that is when it is finished and completed accomplished, work done! 1100 years over! Before that mankind has always been able to experience pain. You can stub your toe against the door nothing s going to prevent that. Different things that happen hit your finger with a hammer you know. So there will be pain. This is talking about a deeper pain obviously. For the former things are passed away. The old things, old earth, mankind, the ways of mankind, the life of mankind no more, it's all passed away. We ve come to a time of a new heaven and a new earth beautiful. We'll come back to some of this later, let's go on in verse 5: And He who sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. That doesn't mean that everything that s physical in the universe all of a sudden is going to be made different or all of a sudden is going to disappear and come back as something different. What's the purpose of that? It still exists, man hasn't polluted it. So what is it that God's talking about here? Mankind being changed to the Godkind, that's the context of everything being discussed; what God's purpose is no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain. The former things are passed away: everything is to become new, everything that God has worked toward for 7100 years; when it's over, it's over and that which remains is His Family. God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT2009 4

5 And He said, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said, unto me, It is done, I am Alpha and Omega, 'it's done,' what's done? Everything that God has been working toward. It doesn't mean that there is nothing that the Family s ever going to do any more and everything s over with and let's shut the book. What's the purpose of life then? No, eternal life it s a great beginning!...it truly is: in the God Family and what He has not yet revealed that's going to take place in the universe that we don't understand; that we have no idea of yet. I've heard a lot of sermons like that, ideas that people have; some of those are off the wall but there are things that are going to be accomplished that are going to be exciting and inspiring in the God Family. So He says, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him who is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely. Again, a new purpose, incredible, in what God is going to be doing here of...even during the 1100 years really, it's a type; but it leads up to the very end when everything is accomplished and when there will be no more need from that point on. But it's an exciting time to realise that starting with the Millennium; everyone who has a desire can receive this way of life and that s what God is revealing. He who overcomes shall inherit all things; so it's a process. So beginning with the Millennium and on into the last 100 years; that's when the final phases of God's plan are going to be accomplished. That's when these things are going to be accomplished: in verse 1 finally the wiping away of all tears, finally the doing away with all pain; but it's going to take 1100 years. But at least everyone now has that opportunity and that ability to receive this and that's what it's discussing. He who overcomes shall inherit all things; those who overcome during the Millennium, those who overcome, because they have to overcome! They have to overcome carnal, human nature, selfishness: they have to fight against it; they have to work at that it's not a cake walk! It s a beautiful world! God's Government established on the earth, one government on the earth, one religion on the earth; not the massive confusion we have today a beautiful earth. But mankind is still mankind, human nature is still human nature and they re not in the God Family yet. It's just a far better world, night and day compared to what we have now, but human beings are still human beings and we still have selfish, carnal, human nature period. Those resurrected during the Great White Throne, a hundred years, they have much human nature. Just like every one of us but they don't even have God's spirit yet, now there will be a few that have had God's spirit and will be awakened spiritually as well as physically at that time and that is an awesome thing to understand. And they will be able to continue on, just like those of us when God awakened us at different stages, at different times; who had His spirit, who were impregnated with His spirit, begotten of His spirit but fell asleep. And that supply of spirit, or that continuing flow of spirit was cut off and until God starts that flow again, which is an awakening spiritually, there is no growth, there s no development beyond that point in time. And so the same is true for so many people who are going to be resurrected. He who overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, the murderers, the whoremongers, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. So it's very specific here, showing that there s coming a time of judgement upon all the earth, upon all mankind; that eventually everyone is going to have a choice and we recognise that's at the beginning of the Millennium: everyone has a choice from that point forward and then all who have ever lived before who have had that choice and some who didn't use that choice well, but died; they are going to be resurrected and continue on and have the opportunity in a different world, to be able to change and to choose and to make the right choices. But if they don't and please understand, there are many who won't choose God; that's the thing about free moral agents. And it's hard for us to grasp and comprehend what happened in the angelic realm, but the same thing is going to happen in the physical realm before the spirit realm becomes a possibility; before people can be a part of the God Family. They have to make their choices. And so there are people who just make choices of a certain way of life and they do not want, they do not desire under any circumstances, God's way. Choice it's hard to understand some of that at times but that is a reality. I fully believe with all my being that there are people who have lived and have been judged; I fully believe that there are people physically who have never been allowed to, who have never had the opportunity yet for God's spirit to be given/granted to them that have already done things to a point, to a God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT2009 5

6 degree, that their minds are so warped and so distorted that they have no choice and desire for God. And God already knows that about their minds because He knows the mind inside and out. And so it talks about those who will have a part in the lake of fire which burns with brimstone: which is the second death. So clearly, as we have read earlier in verse 4, God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death. So when it finally comes to this point in time, this is when it is over with. Either someone is in the second death at the very end, or they re in God's Family and then mission complete. It's done. It's finished. Exciting! Inspiring! Death does not cease until the very end of the 1100 years. During the Millennium it is not God's purpose that the lifespan of man become greater than what it currently is. Will people live longer? With the enrichment of life, the betterment of life, there are going to be things where there s going to be that which is longer, but not like what there was before the Flood, not like that which was directly after the Flood. What is the purpose? So again, those who are going to become a part of the 144, even... we talk about a period of time in Satan's world; we're not given longer life spans, although some did have longer life spans. There were those who lived much longer. Noah, was it 950 years he lived? Incredible to understand a lifespan like that, but as a whole, thankfully, human beings don't have to live that long. There was that which was different that God was working out at that particular time and so there were others in between that time, the time leading up to there. Even in the very beginning there from a period of time...we'll get to that in a moment here: but different people lived different time periods. Mankind was basically given three score and ten 70 years to live. People can live longer than that obviously. We had a gentleman in the Church not too long ago that died almost 100, he was almost there, just a few months away from that. He knew Mr. Armstrong fairly well, was at the Big Sandy Campus at different times at the very beginning and in the Church there before there ever was a campus, and then in California in Pasadena at the campus and worked there for a period of time after he had already retired. He started a second career and lived all the way up to that particular age in time; saw a lot of things, saw a lot of things that took place, fell asleep spiritually and God re awakened him. Fell asleep at a time clear back in 1974, was asleep for a long time spiritually, until God awoke him at a particular moment in time later on when he read one of the books. And then he was with us for six years, seven years? Something like that and moved back to the area of the country Mr. Armstrong got a start in Eugene, Oregon area. Incredible some of the history of some people, but you think all those years asleep...and his was because of Pentecost. He left during the time because of Pentecost being on a Monday, he couldn't accept that Mr. Armstrong made a change and so he fell asleep and just couldn't see it...and followed some people, some other ministers incredible, things that have happened to God's people through time. But showing the power and the mercy of God to heal and to awaken people out of those conditions and to bring them to repentance. Not everyone can be brought to repentance, but that example exists there to teach something the power of God to bring to repentance, truly...awesome thing. Yes, life is going to be improved on earth. We look at food, we look at health, the mind, things that are going to exist; we know that, we understand that but much longer periods of time there is no purpose in it. Many people are going to live longer, but not much longer; there is much to be learned from death, not to prevent it, not as prevention. The point being is God is showing this very clearly, there is going to be death throughout the Millennium. There is no purpose in people living a thousand years; there is no purpose for those of you being called right now to live a full thousand years, for God to sustain your life: or for those who are born during the Millennium, at the beginning of the Millennium to be able to live a thousand years. No, on the contrary as we go forward and as we go through some of these sermons here, as we talk about some of these things in the beginning of this, and more will come out later on; there is great purpose and so much that is learned by death. If you take that away, there is much that could not be learned during the Millennium that God wants man to learn; that death, the ability to see it, the ability to experience it: it is something that man has had for six thousand years that is a very powerful tool to teach us, to humble us, to give us understanding, to give us appreciation of God's plan and God's purpose; it's a very powerful thing, that which God allows as a part of His plan. After the time of Noah and the flood life spans began to be shortened until they levelled out at a basic seventy years allotted to mankind. God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT2009 6

7 About ten generations after Noah we find Abraham, as my wife just held the sign up back there, lived to be 175 years he was 175 years old when he died. Isaac Isaac lived longer, he lived 180 years! Amazing, some of the life spans of some of the people back then that God gave. And Jacob, his name was changed to Israel, lived for 147 years. It began to drop, God began to take away the longer life spans. Joseph lived 110 years, Moses was 120 years old when he died, Joshua died at 110 years old. And then you come up to the times of Israel and the kings and so forth and David lived to be seventy, three score and ten. Amazing, the things that began to change and things began to level out and God revealed that that was to be the lifespan of man: that basically we re given three score and ten and some people live longer 100 years, 80 years and we can do a lot of things. You know, it's amazing sometimes to see people. There are some people who never eat clean foods; can smoke cigars all their life and live to be 100 years old abuse the body, abuse the lungs and they live that long. There are other people who take such good care of their life, watch the food they eat, very close to the trunk of the tree when it comes to getting everything that they can that is natural from a very young age and work out and they die at thirty. Amazing, you can do everything you can and take care of the body the best you can and there are just differences in life spans that people have. The life spans of man have become better recently when compared to the near past. I think of the old west, the cowboys and people who went west and the lifespan wasn't too long. If you made it to forty you were doing quite well. Amazing to think back in time, we see different ancestors that went through hard stages of life at different times and because of certain conditions and such; that there are peoples who were considered in their prime at thirty eight? And then died. Incredible lives that people have lived at different times and different stages and so we've seen a lot of things that happened in different ways at different times in life. There's a simple statement in the book of Hebrews that shows God's primary purpose for mankind when it comes to life and death. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, that is God's purpose for mankind; as a whole, there are very few that aren't going to have to experience those things because it goes on to say and adds to that, but after this the judgement....the judgement. Everyone as a whole is going to die once but there are very few that are going to have the opportunity of an instant change when Jesus Christ returns, from mortal to immortal not very many can be in that category. There are going to be a few that when Jesus Christ returns, they are never going to have to experience death. Of course, a lot of times for death it's close to the same thing anyway because people die in their sleep, or certain things happen and instantly a person dies. And when you are resurrected, it doesn't matter if it's a split second right there at that very moment that those are changed from mortal to immortal or it be some time in the future. You know, as far as time is concerned it really doesn't matter. When you're dead, you're dead. When the change comes, the change comes and so that moment is just a matter of timing. In this case here, you don't have to be dead very long but the body is gone, it's dead. There comes a point in time when your physical body is gone, those who are changed from mortal to immortal, it just disappears; evidently it just disappears. It doesn t seem as if you even have any indication that it's left the ground and somebody has to bury it we don't know yet, but it's going to be gone. But nobody, once changed, is going to be living there, they are going to be in a spirit body. So this is God's main purpose for the vast majority of mankind: I am in awe of this so often; only the timing of events in God's plan can or will alter this overall purpose of life and death. What timing would alter such a purpose? What would alter such a thing? We know of one that is certain and that's the time of the resurrection of the 144,000; that there's no resurrection to a time of judgement. They have been judged already, they have been judged in this life. Those who are going to be resurrected as part of the 144,000; they don't fit in the same category. But after this the judgement. No, they are not going to be resurrected again for a period of judgement, they've already been judged. 'Judgement now is upon the house of God,' as Peter said unique group of people, unique situation. And so they don't have to be resurrected later on in the Great White Throne in the time of judgement but overall God's purpose has been for all of mankind to die once, then to be resurrected to a time of judgement where they are going to be given the truth and be able to see the truth and to be able to grow spiritually like the 144,000 did through the previous six thousand years. God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT2009 7

8 Incredible to understand some of these things; the only other possibility is at the time when the Millennium ends: when it's time for the great resurrection and the final hundred years for a second life given to mankind. By that time, as you go through the thousand years and you have life and death; only then at that moment in time in God's plan can there be people who can be added to the God Family. Not before, not changed at some point in time along the way; not at some point of being sealed. No, everyone during the thousand years will die and they'll have to wait just like King David has been waiting for a long time he doesn't know it. Moses has been waiting for a long time he doesn't know it. Mr. Armstrong has been waiting quite a while but he doesn't know it. Different ones that are going to be resurrected. And so as people live and as they die even during the Millennial period there will come a time for a great resurrection. And the great resurrection that so many think about at a particular point in time is a moment in time when everyone is going to have an opportunity who has ever lived to live again; a second life in a time of judgement. But then there s an opportunity to add to the God Family and I am going to add some more scriptures here to show what God is revealing and what God is giving as we go along here. Everything is very orderly with God and if we understand the purpose of what God is doing during the Millennium and doing during the Great White Throne; these things are very simple and very basic for everyone, they truly are. Let s go back to Revelation 5 and then we'll come back to some of these thoughts and some of these matters to be explained more fully. Changing part of our focus right now in order to bring some more material in here, so that we can bring this all together a little bit more in this particular sermon and in the two sermons to follow. Let s consider what God's purpose is in the Millennium for His Government the 144,000. Revelation 5:9 And they, speaking of the twenty four elders, sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and open the seals thereof: for You were slain, and have redeemed us, or 'them', speaking not to the twenty four angels, but it's referring to a specific group of people here that are going to be redeemed. It s a sloppy translation because it doesn't refer back to the ones in context that are being discussed here because people haven't understood God's plan. They don't think about these things, they don't understand, they don't comprehend. It's speaking about Jesus Christ who is worthy to open the seals and the things that are going to happen and have been happening over a period of time all 7 Seals now having been opened by Jesus Christ. So it says, for you were slain, and have redeemed as it should be them speaking of the saints mentioned in the previous verse, when it speaks of the incense that represented the prayers of all the saints, that which was offered up before God, that came up before God. So again, You have redeemed them to God by Your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people; and nation. So those that are going to be a part of the 144,000; they make up peoples all over the earth, different peoples; not just Jews, not just Israelites, but peoples from all over the earth that God has worked with through time. You have to consider too and understand that before Abraham and before Isaac, there were no Israelites and all those individuals are going to be resurrected, so what were they? Well, they were part of God's Family; they are going to be a part of God's Family, but not of any specific group that we are accustomed to thinking about when we think about Israel and Gentiles. There was no nation at that time that God was specifically working with. And so it goes on to say in verse 10 And have made them unto our God kings and priests: speaking of that six thousand years and all of those whom God has been working with. This is what the focus is here of the prayers of all the saints through time....and they shall reign on the earth. Beautiful verses here. So again, there is no purpose in God s plan for others to enter into this government during the thousand years, that's what we re talking about here. They are going to reign on the earth. Is there any place in scripture that talks about others who are going to reign on the earth? Is there a specific reign of time that is discussed at different places that makes it very clear it's only for these? These are the ones who are going to reign with Christ. No where else is there any mention about more who are going to be added to those that are going to reign, but these are the ones who are going to reign in a specific government on the earth; for a specific purpose, for a specific time. So again, only Jesus Christ, along with the 144,000, are mentioned as having such purpose during the Millennium in scripture all the way through. You can read those verses again, it makes it very clear....you have made them unto our God kings and priests: and they God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT2009 8

9 shall reign on the earth. Jesus Christ has been going through a kind of preparation, if you will, of training His Church over the past two thousand years along with His Father and they have been moulding and fashioning, especially within the Church because the majority of the 144,000 are coming out of the past two thousand years. There aren't many that really go back before that in the previous four thousand years and that's the reason God established the Church for the past two thousand years and the work of Christ because He worked with and moulded and fashioned various ones through time, God did; you can just pretty much read about them from the beginning to the end. And then, we don't know all the ones in the past two thousand years, except a few mentioned in the Book of Acts and a few mentioned from time on, when Paul addresses certain ones and so forth, and mentions certain people names. But after that, the period of Ephesus, Thyatira especially, some of those eras; the thousands of people that have come out of the past two thousand years. That's when the majority of people have been trained, moulded and fashioned; that's been the work of Jesus Christ for the past two thousand years. Moulding and fashioning the vast majority of the Government of God preparing for what's getting ready to take place for the one thousand years and really the one thousand one hundred years that follow. During the Millennium the 144,000 will be going through very unique training preparing for the last hundred years incredible and the Great White Throne period that is beyond that. So, the training doesn't end, there are things that just don't end in time and 144,000 are going to go through some unique training during that Millennial period, in preparation for the hundred years and the Great White Throne that's going to follow because that s what God is preparing for. The last two thousand years if we can understand it, Jesus Christ and God the Father have been working with more to prepare them for this great resurrection that's coming. Then during the Millennium there is going to be training with 144,000 preparing for the hundred years because that period of time is about the hundred years. The thousand years is very much about the hundred years to follow and all those who are going to be able to be trained and moulded and fashioned by God's Government during that period of time who are going to have opportunity to work with billions when they re resurrected. It's amazing to think back in times past that we couldn't see and grasp and understand how God has all this organised how billions can be resurrected and how they can be worked with. All of a sudden you have a massive resurrection and how can you work with so many in such a profound way? Well, if you have millions in the God Family, you can work with them. Millions and millions in the God family, you can work with billions of people. God is very orderly, very organised in the process of salvation and what He's doing and it's an awesome thing, it truly is. God's primary foundation and structure for His government, for His family is built upon Jesus Christ and the 144,000 who indeed are those who comprise the foundational structure of that government all the way through the thousand years. There is no one else that is going to be added to the government, just to make it real clear; there is no one going to be added to the Kingdom of God, to God's Government during the Millennium. Everyone lives and dies and they wait till the end of the thousand years. Then there will be massive resurrection; some to eternal life and others back to physical life once again that's God's purpose. Because it s about the preparation for the last hundred years and the ability to deal with that. God is going to give the ability by what He's going to do here at the end in whittling down the nations of the world and the sizes of peoples on this earth; that 144,000 and Jesus Christ are going to be able to govern this earth for a thousand years very powerfully so. But to be able to work with all the billions that are all of a sudden going to be resurrected at the very end...ah, interesting. If you can begin to understand that, this brings up a lot of interesting and exciting things. It should be easier to understand things concerning the Millennial period as we continue to go through this series of sermons. God wants us to understand that there are misconceptions about the Millennium that we have had in times past that we need to get out of our minds and we need to make sure that all of us are of a right mind and of a right spirit as we enter into the Millennial period. For those of you who are alive, that you enter that period of time, without wrong expectations so that you don t begin to blame God for not receiving what you think you should receive because that would be the case if God did not give this series of sermons at this Feast of Tabernacles. We would have people entering the Millennial period who, if not careful, could very easily become very angry with God because they re expecting something different a type of utopia that's God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT2009 9

10 not going to be there. We need to enter that period of time wisely, sound mindedly, understanding what God's purpose is for the Millennium. There is a great purpose for the Millennium and what God is doing and how He is going to do it. And when we understand that then everything else fits into place but people have to be careful how they think nothing is owed to us. Nothing is owed to anyone who lives in the Millennium, on the contrary, if you are so blessed, you are exceedingly blessed above the vast majority of people on the earth because they don't get to have that opportunity. They have to die and they have to wait a thousand years. The vast majority of this earth has to wait a thousand years. And so if you have opportunity to live in a new world, be ever so thankful, be ever so thankful for what God offers you and gives to you. Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, who is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. Finally! Thank God he s finally restrained, kept away from all mankind and from the God Family for a thousand years; him and his demons. And cast him into a bottomless pit, it's a word that simply means 'a place of restraint,' he's going to be restrained; no power, no ability to exert power, no ability to broadcast as he s doing today to people, to mankind or to the demons who made their choices. And cast him in the place of restraint, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after this he must be let loose a little season. And so Satan is going to be put away for a thousand years and then at the end, he's going to be let loose for a little while and it's going to be something that s going to try the world. And it's something that is a little bit astounding and mind boggling what's going to take place, but I think all of us can understand it far better now because we see what happened to Laodicea, to the Church of God at the end time. We see what human beings can do when they have the begettal of God's spirit and we re going to see one final great lesson on the earth that must be taught, that must be learned before the great resurrection takes place of the last hundred years. And that is what human beings can do when they re not only begotten of God's spirit, but have the God Family ruling over them on the earth and they begin to take that for granted; that is their norm. Generation after generation that becomes their norm and they sin great sins, many of them do. Incredible! Verse 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given to them: and I saw the souls of them who were, and it's an unfortunate translation, it says beheaded in the King James, it doesn't mean everyone who has ever followed God has been beheaded or that everyone who is going to be a part of the 144,000 had to be beheaded No, it means 'cut off.' When you are called you re cut off from the rest of the world. You live this way of life; you are persecuted for what you believe, you go through suffering because of what you believe. And the world literally, in that respect even, cuts you off from them, you are not a part with them anymore and we make those choices to be cut off from it as well. We don t want to be a part of it and so that s how the word is being used here....for the witness of Jesus, because if you begin in your life, Jesus Christ begins to live in you, that's what that means 'the witness of Jesus Christ,' it means that He lives in you; your life is witness of the truth, of God living and dwelling within you; of what the world is like, of what mankind is like. What ideacity was like! It doesn't matter see? They don't have that ability to receive it, what do they do? They can't wait to mock God; they can't wait to laugh at Christ, no matter what they re told incredible! And so that's what it's showing here see? We re not a part of this world, thank God, but we suffer because of it and because of the world. And so it goes on to say, and have the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and have not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither have received the mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. They did, no one else does, only they do; it's God's purpose that only the 144,000 live and reign with Christ for the thousand years. Nothing about anyone else being added to that family. So that government has unique purpose and structure that is being fulfilled during that thousand years and there is no purpose that anything else be added to it, there really isn't. On the contrary, that would work against what God is doing. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first God s Purpose for the Millennium Pt. 1 FOT